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Ever have those days when you watch a debate, sympathize with one side, but come out thinking that the other side presented its case better?

That's pretty much how I felt today. As I write here, while I have been and remain prepared to sympathize with President Obama's stance on interrogation and detainee policy, I think that Vice President Cheney was the better debater. The President appeared to phone in his case, and he left holes in his reasoning. Vice President Cheney, however, carefully constructed his case and made some very telling points.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the former Vice President--reviled and out of power--is nevertheless helping to drive the debate on detainee and interrogation policy. The Obama Administration may wish to rethink its strategy in presenting its case on this issue. It is clear that Barack Obama is more eloquent and more popular than is Dick Cheney. But the former Vice President is dictating the terms of the debate, with President Obama constantly being forced to react. That alone says something about how well Dick Cheney is arguing on his behalf, and on behalf of the policies of the Bush Administration.

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